2017 Meeting and Technology Trends

The landscape of event planning and attendance is changing dramatically as we continue to advance in the technology world. 2017 is promising to show several advancements to video production capabilities, and audio visual enhancements. Here are our top five predictions in event trends for 2017 and beyond.

Social media channels are targeting events with a focus on video and live streaming. We are already getting notifications that our friends are ‘live’ on Facebook. In 2017 we will see this trend for live streaming come into the events arena. This is a great and cost effective way to give your audience a sneak peek into sessions and key functions; and to show the value of your events in real time. The challenges for event planners will be increased Wi-Fi bandwidth demand, and keeping control of your events propriety information, since any attendee can Facebook ‘live’ at your event.

Cloud based Video Conferencing: If you aren’t seeing a pattern yet, video is going to remain a huge player in 2017. Another big trend will be using cloud based video conference software to connect existing conference rooms across multiple locations without requiring additional equipment or labor operations. Video Streaming capabilities are essential, and if it isn’t available to your client via their phone you are out of date. The Colorado Technical University used this technology for their 2016 graduating class. They broadcast the ceremony live from the Bellco Theater at the Colorado Convention Center allowing people across the country to watch their friends or family receive their diplomas live and in real time. The Colorado School of Mines recently adopted this technology for their December 2016 graduating class as well.

Hologram Technology: A hologram is a photographic recording of a light field, rather than of an image formed by a lens, and it is used to display a fully three-dimensional image of the holographed subject*. This technology will start being used more for Keynote Speaker Presentations, and is great when a presenter cannot attend in person. Hologram technology is also ideal at conferences for showing products that are not easily transportable, or to show intricacies of a product with 3D capabilities.

Drones: A relatively new technology that creates quality footage for events on a small budget. Drones allow you to create additional marketing touch points by capturing aerial video and photographs that can be utilized for pre-event promotion, site overview videos, live streaming during events, and post show wrap-up videos. See some of the amazing drone footage capabilities in this ‘Denver by Drone’ video and find some great event locations too.

Virtual reality has made its way into the event space in several capacities, (3) areas we think will continue to grow in 2017 are:

Site visits – A number of hotels and destinations are moving to VR to give event attendees and others the most realistic site inspection possible.

Tradeshow booths – Companies are recognizing that VR can give booth attendees an incredibly immersive and engaging experience on-site at a conference.

Attendees – The attendee experience can now be replicated through virtual reality. The NBA is already making plans to distribute their games in VR. The Denver Broncos are already taking advantage of VR technology through their Orange Herd app with locker room tours, and walking the field; to virtual reality videos including the Super Bowl parade in Denver. Other opportunities for virtual attendance are being considered for music concerts, special events and even major conference events.

As technology continues to advance, so will the events space. Our predictions in 2016 were radically different than they are in 2017, and we can’t even imagine what 2018 will bring.